Abstract

At both of our universities we teach (with colleagues) introductory courses in statistics for fellows and physicians. We do not expect that those taking these courses will be able to do their own statistical work, but rather the intention is for them to 'learn the language' and to facilitate future collaboration. Basic principles of study design are introduced in the courses, as well as some of the most common statistical procedures. We will discuss the factors (what works and what does not) that may contribute to a successful course, a comparison to other courses, and our self-evaluation strategy. Finally, we will cover the financial arrangements that we have made when teaching these courses.